Spaces to Places unveils
UK Flex Office Market 2025 report

The UK’s flexible office sector is evolving fast with flex now accounting for 10% of London office space - and it’s more polarised than ever. Off the back of their first-ever London Flex Brand Index released in September, Spaces to Places has unveiled a new report today at MPIM. It reveals a growing divide between new players introducing premium, service-heavy spaces and traditional operators focused on cost-efficient, asset-led models.

Backed by sponsors DSBJ, Valve, and Yardi, the UK Flex Office Market 2025 report delivers the most in-depth look yet at 52 flex brands operating across 1,230 locations, offering fresh insights into the strategies shaping the industry’s future. Here's everything you need to know.

The Changing Face of Flex

Meanwhile, established players such as Lenta Space continue to focus on long-term ownership strategies and affordability, appealing to businesses prioritising cost efficiency and stability. 

While the mainstream flex segment continues to dominate (67% of the market), the premium category is expanding rapidly, now accounting for 20% of the sector.

"Even at the value end of the market, it’s more than providing desks and chairs - convenience, cost, and community are essential”, says Zoe Ellis-Moore, CEO and Founder of Spaces to Places. “At the premium end, expectations have soared, with offerings ranging from drinks trolleys at desks and vanity rooms to restaurants meeting five-star hotel standards".

Four Routes to Market

Operators are taking different approaches to flex, with four main business models emerging:

• Lease (46%) - Still the dominant model, but increasingly used alongside other structures.

• Owner-Operator (35%) - Favoured by long-standing, value-focused brands that own their buildings.

• Management Agreement (16%) - A rising trend among premium flex operators looking to grow without asset ownership.

• Franchise (3%) - A smaller but emerging approach to expansion.

Hybrid models, blending management agreements and leases, are also on the rise as landlords and providers seek greater operational flexibility. Key industry players such as Hines and W.RE are among those leading this shift.

Who Owns Flex?

Despite increased institutional interest, flex remains largely entrepreneurial:

• 69% are privately owned.

• 14% are family-run.

• 13% are publicly owned.

• 4% are council-operated.

This varied ownership landscape suggests a sector still driven by innovation, rather than large-scale consolidation.

Flex is Expanding Beyond London

The report also explores the geographic spread of flex office providers across the UK. When it comes to location strategy, providers fall into three key groups:

• 46% operate in both London and regional markets.

• 39% are focused entirely on regional cities.

• 15% remain London-exclusive brands.